Two candidates in running for BBC head of marketing

BBC head of corporate marketing Jane Frost and Channel 5 marketing director Jim Hytner are among the candidates still in the running to take over from BBC head of marketing Matthew Bannister.

Ms Frost is understood to be the only remaining internal candidate for the top marketing post after Sally Osman was handed the number two job of head of communications last month.

Mr Bannister leaves this month and the BBC is keen to fill the post as quickly as possible. But a BBC spokesman said no decision was expected until after Christmas.

Mr Hytner, who has been formally interviewed by headhunters, joined Channel 5 in 1997 from BSkyB where he was marketing director. He joined Sky in 1994 as advertising and media director and was made marketing director in 1996.

Mr Bannister announced his resignation from the BBC in October, just six months after he took on the job.

His departure comes at a difficult time for the BBC, which is in the middle of a major overhaul of its marketing activities, including a review of its advertising agency roster.